Problems Dillon XL650 Priming/Powder Die

[dlv290]

I have two problems with the XL650:

1) For every 10 rounds bullets I make, the primer will not seat into the shell casing. Of course I don't want to force it, so I just take out the primer. It seems like the primer is not centering with the bullet. I followed the directions about setting the spring arm at a "business cards" width.

2) When I actuate the XL650's actuating arm downward, no problem. When I move the arm in the upward motion, it's like I'm fighting it. It is not a fluid motion, and is like it is stuck and requires alot of force to "unstick". I've narrowed the problem down to the powder die when it "Bells" the casing. I've taken it apart cleaned it several times. The problem is still there. Reloading has limited me to just doing 50 cases at a time. It's just exhausting!

ANY IDEAS WITH THESE TWO PROBLEMS WILL HELP!

THANKS,

DAN

[RaymondMillbrae]

What are you loading - pistol or rifle?

It may be that your primer plate is not rotating sufficiently. There is a little steel metal piece (spring loaded) that rotates the primer plate. Check to make sure an old primer, or a metal filing, has not found its way into the area where the spring is.

It may also be something obvious (if loading rifle rounds), like crimped brass.

Another thing that comes to mind are spent primers. When the brass gets deprimed, all the primers do not always find their way into the primer cup. Check every crack, crevace, and moving joint for an old primer stuck in there.

Oh yea, some .45 ACP pistol brass come with small primers - usually marked with an "NT" somewhere.

In Christ: Raymond

[jwest]

Sounds like you need to check your alignment - if you don't have one of these tools - get one from Dillon - take my word for it - keep your Big Blue in alignment:

Should be product #13713 - Alignment Fixture.

[uscbigdawg]

I'll go for the turret bolt is too tight. Call Dillon support and they will walk you through it, while on the phone with them.

Rich

[Mac Attack]

I had the same problem with my 650 when I first got it. I called Dillon and a tech walked me through the process of removing the primer system. Turns out a live primer got stuck between the primer disk and assembly. Once I removed it I was good to go.

[TMC]

Some cases require more pressure to seat the primers due to differences in primer pockets shapes. Also primers can be different. I recently bought Wolf primers and they require significanly more pressure to seat than either Winchester, CCI or Federals. If it is a case/primer size issue you can still load them you'll just have apply more pressure to seat them. As long as the primer is straight you won't set it off, that only happens when the primer starts out sideways and then suddenly slips into place while you're putting lots of pressure on it. I've set off a few that way. It gets your attention but won't do any damage or set anything else off. Wearing safety glasses while loading are always a good idea.

For your #2 issue, if you're using new brass it has been know to stick in the power funnel. I had that issue with new Starline brass. If you polish the area of the powder funnel that bells the case it will help.

Cycle the machine without cases to make sure it moves smoothly. Rich may have it right that the shell plae bolt is too tight or something else is hanging up.

[Chief-7700]

Why is it very hard to get expander and powder funnel back out of case?
There are two situations that create this problem. The first is one we have just recently identified. It seems to be associated with the dillon powder funnel and only a couple of calibers (45 Auto and 40 S&W). The land for expanding case mouth is too long and when you begin to bell mouth the bottom of expander gets into the thicker taper of case and wedges causing it to be very hard to get back out. We have modified several by increasing radius on end and slightly shortening expanding land and this eliminated the problem completely. Call Starline and we will take care of it if you wish. One other cause can be a burr at case mouth created by the final trim operation, which grabs onto expander as it comes back up. This situation does not often appear and can be fixed by deburring case mouth or inside lubing cases.

The above was posted on Starline's site. I sent my powder funnel (.45ACP) to them a few years ago, problem went away.

[dlv290]

What are you loading - pistol or rifle?

It may be that your primer plate is not rotating sufficiently. There is a little steel metal piece (spring loaded) that rotates the primer plate. Check to make sure an old primer, or a metal filing, has not found its way into the area where the spring is.

It may also be something obvious (if loading rifle rounds), like crimped brass.

Another thing that comes to mind are spent primers. When the brass gets deprimed, all the primers do not always find their way into the primer cup. Check every crack, crevace, and moving joint for an old primer stuck in there.

Oh yea, some .45 ACP pistol brass come with small primers - usually marked with an "NT" somewhere.In Christ: Raymond

That's the answer to one of my probelms! The .45 acp used cases had small primer pockets. Yes, most of them were Winchester "NT", some others didn't have the "NT". Thanks!
I still have the problem of stuck cases in the powder funnel. I know it's the funnel because it only get's stuck when I run a case ONLY in the powder die station. I've already disassembled the whole system and checked for spent primers/metal shaving/or any thing too tight. The whole system works/rotates/assembled properly. It only sticks when the powder funnel comes out of a case. To try and fix this problem, I've tried cleaning/600 grit sandpaper/ polishing the funnel. Visually/feeling the funnel, there are no marks. I've even tried adjusting/re-adjusting the die just to see if that was the problem. Dillon thru email said that it's cuz of ultrasonic cleaning of my brass that will do this. But I don't use an ultrasonic cleaner. I'm able to make bullets completely. It's just on the downward of the ram, it sticks (only at the powder funnel) sometimes causing me to exert two hands to "un-stick" the case.
Need more help!
Thanks.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Something else has come to mind.

When the brass gets charged with powder, it also gets "belled" at the same time. Shooter, it sounds to me that you may have the powder die & powder funnel adjusted incorrectly.

Take them apart with the manual by your side, and just do a quick double check. It can't hurt anything. And it's always good to break things down every once in a while to get a better understanding of how it works.

Worst case scenario...you have the wrong powder die/powder funnel, for your caliber.

Hope you resolve this quickly, as that XL650 is rearing to please you.

In Christ: Raymond

[dlv290]

Something else has come to mind.

When the brass gets charged with powder, it also gets "belled" at the same time. Shooter, it sounds to me that you may have the powder die & powder funnel adjusted incorrectly.

Take them apart with the manual by your side, and just do a quick double check. It can't hurt anything. And it's always good to break things down every once in a while to get a better understanding of how it works.

Worst case scenario...you have the wrong powder die/powder funnel, for your caliber.

Hope you resolve this quickly, as that XL650 is rearing to please you.

In Christ: Raymond

I have already disassembled the whole powder die/powder funnel twice (according to the manual) before reloading. I've also polished/600 grit sandpapered/cleaned. I've also adjusted it to the least amount of "belling" before a bullet will not seat. It is the correct caliber. It still sticks.
Thanks!

[RaymondMillbrae]

I have already disassembled the whole powder die/powder funnel twice (according to the manual) before reloading. I've also polished/600 grit sandpapered/cleaned. I've also adjusted it to the least amount of "belling" before a bullet will not seat. It is the correct caliber. It still sticks.
Thanks!

OK,

this is the very last bit of info I have.


1) Are you using .45 ACP, or .45 Colt? (Dies or boolit cases).
2) I know this is a stupid question, but are you using a good case lube on your brass?


Other than that, I quit. All out of ideas from my end.

Best wishes!

In Christ: Raymond

[bruce381]

600 paper will not do it alone. I chucked the exspander die tube into a drill press and ran it with a file against the lower parts that goes into the case till I brought it down 1-2 thousands then pollished it up with 400 grit to 600 grit till it shined. Leave the bigger exspander part alone just reduce the part that goes into the case a few thosands if that does not cure it somethibng else is VERY wrong.

[dlv290]

OK,

this is the very last bit of info I have.


1) Are you using .45 ACP, or .45 Colt? (Dies or boolit cases).
2) I know this is a stupid question, but are you using a good case lube on your brass?


Other than that, I quit. All out of ideas from my end.

Best wishes!

In Christ: Raymond

Yes, I am using both .45 acp casings and .45acp dies/powder funnel.
As far as the case lube, I didn't use at first (carbide dies) but I currently use Hornady One Shot. It kind helped at first, but it still gets stuck on every case.
Thanks for the help, though.

@Bruce- The case gets stuck rite at the part that flares (the part that you're telling me to leave alone). If I take a file to the powder funnel and grind it down, doesn't that already mean that something is VERY wrong.
Thanks though.
I've heard from many others they have the same problem. But are just muscling it through and using brute force. The whole set up works fine and I'm able to load, just at about 100/hr-and that's without taking a break from my shoulder getting soo tired. I love the 650, but I know I'm not using it to it's potential.
I'm calling Dillon tomorrow. Hopefully it's a simple fixable problem.
THANKS EVERYONE THAT'S HELPED! I'll keep you all informed once I've figured it out.

[bruce381]

""If I take a file to the powder funnel and grind it down, doesn't that already mean that something is VERY wrong.""

Do not know on my 45acp the smaller part had ?? machining groves or slight edges. After I smoothed them away the sticking went away but I have also noticed that over use the "edges or ridges" fill will small amounts of brass powder and it becomes smoother kinda like wearing in, I guess some 600 grit on the larger belling part would help to i know of the sticking you speak what i did helped me or maybe I just got used to it. Good luck i love my 650

[bruce381]

one other thing I thought of i tumble all my brass in walnut and then dump them out they sometime have a "pwderey" feel from ther walnut.

MAYBE that acts like a lube too, do you tumble or is this dirty range brass or new? new can be sticky cause never fired and range brass can have dirt and crap in them that also will make them stick.